JERUSALEM, Israel – Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are in Cairo today, working through President Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and free the hostages. The administration says momentum is building despite major hurdles.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News Sunday he’s hopeful the hostages may soon be coming home, as President Trump delivered a stern warning to Hamas.
"I think we are closest we have been in a very long time to having no hostages held by Hamas, either living or deceased," Rubio stated. "The second part of this – and it's going to be a much tougher part of this – is what happens after that? Who's going to run Gaza moving forward? It can't be Hamas. It can't be a terrorist organization."
What comes after the hostage release is one of several core issues on the table in Cairo. Israel says the talks cannot drag on.
Israeli Government Spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian emphasized, "Now the Prime Minister has also made it clear that in an agreement with the Trump administration, talks will be confined to a few days maximum, with no tolerance for maneuvers that will delay talks by Hamas.”
She added, “Israel is standing by the 72-hour deadline from the moment all details are solidified with Hamas, and we'll be ready immediately to receive all of our hostages."
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Hamas says it may need time to collect the 48 hostages, only 20 of whom are still believed to be alive.
Other hurdles include Hamas reportedly demanding that Israel release prisoners they have refused to free in the past, including Marwan Barghouti, convicted of multiple murders during the Second Intifada that began in September 2000.
The terror group also wants a role for the Palestinian Authority in ruling Gaza, another condition Israel has rejected.
President Trump told CNN that if Hamas tries to cling to power, it faces "complete obliteration."
Retired Israel Defense Forces General Amir Avivi told CBN News he believes the tables turned against Hamas during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's most recent meeting at the White House.
"This is exactly what happened in Washington: a realization globally that it's game over. Hamas lost it, even if we don't see yet Hamas laying down the weapons, they already lost. The IDF is controlling 80% of Gaza completely – 900,000 people left the city, and the city is surrounded. Hamas is done," Avivi said.
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